Catholic Charities Week, which will be celebrated April 30-May 6, highlights the tangible ways in which the people of western North Carolina are given help, a glimmer of hope, and inspiration to overcome the difficulties they are experiencing.
Catholic Charities is committed to helping our brothers and sisters in need – people struggling, living on the peripheries and the most vulnerable among us. For 75 years, the agency has provided assistance and resources to strengthen families, build communities and reduce poverty in western North Carolina. Last year alone, Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte served more than 18,000 people, helping them address the residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation that has created a greater need for food, housing and financial assistance.
Catholic Charities’ food pantries in Asheville, Charlotte and Winston-Salem are one of its most in-demand services. Last year alone, the agency distributed more than 562,000 pounds of food to 13,515 people in need.
Agency staff and volunteers also provided people with a range of individualized support services designed to help them escape poverty – including educational and employment opportunities, help connecting to health benefits, parenting and life skills coaching, overcoming barriers to transportation and childcare, and more.
Catholic Charities also rose to the challenge in aiding refugees to flee war-torn Afghanistan and Ukraine, resettling more than 240 people in Charlotte and Asheville. They were among a total of nearly 500 refugees from across the globe that Catholic Charities assisted throughout western North Carolina over the past year. They received financial, medical, educational, employment and housing assistance to enable them to start new lives in the United States.
In addition, Catholic Charities routinely offers a comprehensive array of additional services to meet the needs of our communities, including: pregnancy support and adoption services; individual, marriage and family counseling; support teens in crisis; legal immigration services; disaster relief; homeless veterans and individuals; and social advocacy.
The agency also assists elderly individuals through its Elder Ministry program, which offers classes and workshops designed to address the needs and challenges associated with aging.
And all of these services are made available to people regardless of their race, ethnicity or religion.
Dr. Gerard Carter, executive director and CEO of Catholic Charities, credits the many volunteers, supporters and donors who make this work possible.
“We could not do what we do without their support and help. It’s their care for people they’ve never met, who’ve never met them, who do not know their name, and whose name they’ll never know. But they reach out to help them because they are a fellow human being in need.”
Living works of mercy across western North Carolina Catholic Charities Week April 30-May 6
La Semana de Caridades Católicas, que se celebra del 30 de abril al 6 de mayo, destaca las formas materiales en que las personas del oeste de Carolina del Norte reciben ayuda, un rayo de esperanza e inspiración para superar las dificultades que atraviesan.
Caridades Católicas está comprometida a ayudar a nuestros hermanos y hermanas en necesidad: personas que luchan, viven en las periferias y son las más vulnerables entre nosotros.
Durante 75 años, la agencia ha proporcionado asistencia y recursos para fortalecer familias, construir comunidades y reducir la pobreza en el oeste de Carolina del Norte. Solo el año pasado, Caridades Católicas de la Diócesis de Charlotte atendió a más de 18,000 personas, ayudándoles a enfrentar los efectos residuales de la pandemia de COVID-19 y el aumento de la inflación que ha creado una mayor necesidad de alimentos, vivienda y asistencia financiera.
La despensa de alimentos de Caridades Católicas en Asheville, Charlotte y Winston-Salem es uno de sus servicios más solicitados. Solo el año pasado, la agencia distribuyó más de 562,000 libras de alimentos a 13,515 personas necesitadas.
El personal y los voluntarios de la agencia también proporcionaron una gama de servicios de apoyo individualizados diseñados para ayudar a las personas a escapar de la pobreza, incluyendo oportunidades educativas y de empleo, ayuda para conectarse con beneficios de salud, asesoría en paternidad y habilidades para la vida, asistencia para superar barreras en transporte y cuidado de niños, y mucho más.
Caridades Católicas también aceptó el desafío de ayudar a los refugiados a huir de Afganistán y Ucrania, devastados por la guerra, reasentando a más de 240 personas en Charlotte y Asheville. Ellos eran parte de un total de casi 500 refugiados de todo el mundo que Caridades Católicas asistió en todo el oeste de Carolina del Norte durante el año pasado. Recibieron ayuda financiera, médica, educativa, de empleo y vivienda que les permitiera comenzar una nueva vida en Estados Unidos.
Además, Caridades Católicas ofrece rutinariamente una amplia gama de servicios adicionales para satisfacer las necesidades de nuestras comunidades, que incluyen: apoyo al embarazo y servicios de adopción; asesoramiento individual, matrimonial y familiar; apoyo a adolescentes en crisis; servicios legales de inmigración; ayuda en casos de desastre; asistencia a veteranos y personas sin hogar; y promoción social.
La agencia también ayuda a las personas mayores a través de su Ministerio del Adulto Mayor, que ofrece clases y talleres diseñados para abordar las necesidades y desafíos asociados con el envejecimiento.
Todos estos servicios están disponibles sin considerar raza, etnia o religión.
El Dr. Gerard Carter, director ejecutivo y CEO de Caridades Católicas, agradeció a los muchos voluntarios y donantes que hacen posible este trabajo.
“No podríamos hacer lo que hacemos sin su apoyo y ayuda.
Es su cuidado por las personas que no conocen, que nunca han conocido, que no saben y nunca sabrán su nombre. Pero ellos se acercan para ayudarlos porque son seres humanos necesitados”.
— Spencer K.M. Brown. Contribuyeron SueAnn Howell y Caridades Católicas de la Diócesis de Charlotte.
Endowments benefit Catholic Charities and its vital work throughout the Diocese of Charlotte
n FFHL Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte Endowment Fund: Established through the “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign, this fund provides financial support for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte.
n Catholic Charities Endowment Fund: This fund provides for the general needs of this diocesan ministry across the western half of North Carolina.
n Catholic Charities Asheville Endowment Fund: This fund provides for the general needs of this ministry in Asheville.
n Catholic Charities Burial Assistance Endowment Fund: This fund provides for the burial assistance program in Mecklenburg County.
How can you help?
Financial donations to enable Catholic Charities to assist participants and buy food are an effective way to help serve people in need. Make donations online at www.ccdoc.org (click on “Donate”); or by mail to: Catholic Charities, Central Processing, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203-4003.
Need assistance?
Catholic Charities offers services to people across western North Carolina. Email info@ ccdoc.org or reach out to your local Catholic Charities office:
Asheville
828-255-0146
Charlotte
704-370-3262
Greensboro
336-288-1984
Lenoir
828-434-5710
Murphy
828-835-3535
Winston-Salem
336-727-0705
People who need assistance can also call 2-1-1 to find up-to-date information on available community services that may be available. 2-1-1 helps connect people to information about local food pantries, medical resources and possible changes to government benefits.
¿Cómo puede ayudar?
Las donaciones financieras para permitir que Caridades Católicas compre alimentos y ayude a los participantes son una forma efectiva de ayuda a las personas necesitadas. Puede realizar sus donaciones online en www.ccdoc. org (haga clic en “Donate”); o por correo a: Catholic Charities, Central Processing, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203-4003.
¿Necesita asistencia?
Caridades Católicas ofrece servicios a las personas del oeste de Carolina del Norte. Envíe un correo electrónico a info@ccdoc.org o a alguna de nuestras oficinas locales de Caridades Católicas:
Asheville
828-255-0146
Charlotte
704-370-3262
Greensboro
n Catholic Charities Charlotte Endowment Fund: This fund provides for the general needs of this ministry in Charlotte.
n Catholic Charities Refugee Endowment Fund: This fund provides for the general needs of this ministry across the western half of North Carolina.
n Catholic Charities Winston-Salem Endowment Fund: This fund provides for the general needs of this ministry in Winston-Salem.
n Beatrice A. Chase Endowment Fund: Established through a bequest, this fund provides financial support for Catholic Charities.
n Elizabeth Grace Endowment Fund: This fund provides for the programmatic needs of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Charlotte.
n Aurelia I. Guffey Catholic Charities Endowment Fund: Established through a bequest, this fund provides for the programmatic needs of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Charlotte.
n Peter J. and Catherine P. Hickey Endowment Fund: This fund provides for the adoption programs of Catholic Charities.
n Robert H. Moeller Memorial Endowment Fund: This fund provides housing-related financial assistance for the elderly across the western half of North Carolina.
n John S. Monahan Endowment Fund: Established through a bequest, this fund provides for the general needs of Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte.
n John and Marlene Olenick Endowment Fund: This fund provides support to Room At The Inn of Greensboro and the pregnancy support services of Catholic Charities in the Piedmont/Triad.
n George and Jane Pfaff Catholic Charities Endowment Fund: Established through a bequest, this fund provides for program needs of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Charlotte.
n San Lorenzo Ruiz Philippine Heritage Endowment Fund: This endowment provides for the unrestricted general needs of Catholic Charities in Charlotte and for refugee/immigrant assistance of Catholic Charities in Charlotte.
n Respect Life Endowment Fund: Established through a bequest,
this fund provides for the respect life programs of Catholic Charities across the western half of North Carolina.
n Sarmiento-Lang Family Endowment Fund: This fund provides for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Barnabas Church and for pregnancy support services at Catholic Charities across the Diocese of Charlotte.
n Lee and Allan Thurbee Memorial Endowment Fund: This fund provides financial support for Catholic Charities’ work in the Diocese of Charlotte.
336-288-1984
Lenoir
828-434-5710
Murphy
828-835-3535
Winston-Salem
336-727-0705
Las personas que necesiten asistencia también pueden llamar al 2-1-1 para encontrar información actualizada sobre servicios comunitarios disponibles.
El servicio 2-1-1 ayuda a conectar a las personas con información sobre despensas de alimentos locales, recursos médicos y posibles cambios de beneficios gubernamentales.
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— Spencer K.M. Brown. SueAnn Howell, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Charlotte contributed.
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